Carbohydrates are one of the four essential biomolecules that play critical roles in various biological processes. They are primarily composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms and can be classified into simple sugars (monosaccharides) and complex carbohydrates (oligosaccharides and polysaccharides). Understanding the structure and function of carbohydrates is essential in biochemistry, particularly in energy storage and cellular recognition.

Which of the following statements accurately describes a property or function of carbohydrates?